The Mission
With Starliner, we're building your future in spaceflight. The spacecraft is developed in partnership with NASA and designed for researchers and adventurers alike. Our teams used lessons passed down from the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and shuttle programs, including the firsthand experience of the astronaut who commanded Space Shuttle Atlantis on the shuttle program's final mission. Join us as Starliner expands humanity's access to space.
Starliner’s launch campaign starts 45 days before liftoff when United Launch Alliance begins stacking an Atlas V at Space Launch Complex 41. Two weeks later, Starliner is mated on top, completing the integrated Atlas V Starliner vehicle. Teams then focus on finalizing launch preparations, rehearsing launch procedures and triple-checking systems. On launch day, ground teams stow cargo and, if it is a crewed launch, the astronauts head to the pad about three hours before liftoff.
Phase 01
Pre-Launch
In the final minutes before liftoff, the launch director polls the team before declaring the launch a "go." The Crew Access Arm on the launch pad retracts, the launch abort system is activated, then ignition! Starliner, atop its Atlas V, heads for orbit. About 15 minutes after launch, Atlas' Centaur upper stage shuts down, sending Starliner on its way to the International Space Station.
Phase 02
Space Launch
Rendezvous and docking are among the most difficult spaceflight challenges, and Starliner does both completely autonomously. Rendezvous procedures start dozens of kilometers away, when Starliner's cameras spot the space station as a bright point of light in front of a sea of stars. Then, an intricate orbital ballet begins as Starliner drifts closer and closer to station. Hundreds of finely tuned thruster firings then guide Starliner into dock.
Phase 03
Docking
When it's time to come home, Starliner is packed, powered up and prepared for departure. Then, the docking mechanism disengages, letting Starliner slowly drift away from the space station. After a flyaround inspection, Starliner conducts a series of burns to take it safely away and position it for deorbit.
Phase 04
Undocking
Coming back to Earth can be even more difficult than getting to space. Reentry and landing is a crucible of high speeds, temperatures, aerodynamic stresses and G forces. Starliner is built not just to weather those conditions, but to conquer them. As the landing sequence progresses, heat shields jettison, parachutes deploy and airbags inflate, eventually ending in a first for an American orbital capsule: a safe landing on solid ground. Starliner made history in December 2019 by being the first American orbital capsule to safely land on land.
Phase 05
Landing
The Crew
They are aviation pioneers and spaceflight veterans. These NASA astronauts and our Boeing astronaut bring decades of experience and expertise – in aviation and on the International Space Station – to a new mission. They are working alongside our team to train for this new era in space exploration. Meet the team who is blazing this new trail of innovation and discovery.
Watch the Launch
Stay tuned for our next launch date.
All across the globe, let the wonder of space exploration excite and inspire you. Join us online as Starliner launches from Florida, docks to the International Space Station and lands in the western U.S.
Online
Live Viewing
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STEM Activities
Create these STEM-related space projects to get you inspired:
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Explore Resources
The Innovations
Reusable crew capsules. Completely automated flight systems. Landing on solid ground. These innovations are what make Starliner a 21st century spacecraft worthy of heralding in a new era of commercial human spaceflight.
The Destination
Commercial transportation to and from the International Space Station will increase opportunities for discovery on the orbiting laboratory. As NASA's prime contractor for the ISS, Boeing supports astronauts onboard as they conduct scientific experiments and technology research that benefits life on Earth and advances deep space exploration.
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Join the Starliner crew as we usher in a new era in space exploration. With the CST-100 Starliner, we are changing the way people travel to and from space. This is your chance to go behind the scenes as we gear up for launch. Sign up to be a part of every mission, go inside the Starliner program and grab a front row seat for these historic events.
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